John finally dropped his hand and sat next to his mother at the kitchen table. “The short version is that she’s afraid of a relationship.”

“I’m well acquainted with that,” Margaret said, perching her chin on her fist. She narrowed her hazel eyes as she peered at her son. “The greatest thing that came from my marriage to your father was you. But we were incompatible from the start. I don’t blame a girl for being a little skittish.”

“Is there anything about me that should make a woman skittish?” John asked, gesturing to himself. Both women looked over at him and paused to think.

“Nothing comes to mind,” Sandra said. “You’re a perfect gentleman, kiddo.”

“But, we don’t know the full story,” Margaret said. “Much as I love to defend my own, I really liked that Victoria. She seemed like a keeper.”

“You’re right, Maggie,” Sandra said, wiping her hands on her apron. “She’s a smart gal and cute as a button.”

“Wasn’t she though?” Margaret asked. “A tad nervous, but just as sweet as can be.”

As far as the women were concerned, John wasn’t even in the room anymore. “That’s all true,” he interrupted. “But that doesn’t change the fact that she’s not interested in me like that. I asked for more and she turned me down.”

“Oh, I don’t believe that,” Margaret scoffed. “You’re a lovely young man. Maybe it was something you said. Maybe the way you said it. Tell us the conversation.”

John tried his best to relay the argument without revealing every scandalous detail. As he spoke, Sandra continued spooning batter on the baking sheet while Margaret nodded occasionally. When he’d finished, he made a useless gesture. “Now how am I the monster in this situation?”

The pregnant pause between the two women made him nervous.

“Well?”

“Do you want this one, Maggie?”

His mother sighed and shook his head. “You take it, Sandy.”

“What is it?”

“These kids think they’re the first at everything,” Sandra said with a chuckle.

“I swear as old as he is, you’d think he could see it himself.”

John pushed down his irritation and held back his growl. “What the hell are you two talking about?”

“And as well-read as he is,” Sandra added. “Jesus, kiddo, have you never been in love? It’s been two weeks and you’re losing your damn mind over a girl. You never considered that you were just falling in love with her?”

John was dumbstruck.